Jacksonville congressman discusses 'fiscal cliff'

Ander Crenshaw says it's important for both parties to compromise on resolution

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw said Thursday that Republicans and Democrats need to start moving closer on the issues of spending cuts and raising revenues.

In an interview with Channel 4, Crenshaw said the doomsday of spending cuts and higher taxes will only start at the beginning of the year if there's no deal in Congress in avoiding a possible "fiscal cliff." He said it's the "not knowing" that is making it difficult for people.

"I think like most Americans, it's scary. You don't know what's going to happen," said Crenshaw. "It is having an effect on large and small businesses."

Employers and employees are both worried about the uncertainty associated with the fiscal cliff. Crenshaw said citizens are looking at about $2,000 more in taxes for the average middle class family, huge spending cuts over the next ten years and continued partisan bickering and gridlock.

"You keep your fingers crossed, count on your representatives to do the right thing and hope we get through it all," said labor and employment lawyer Tim Strong.

"Right now, the gap is pretty wide between what President Obama is saying, and what speaker Boehner is saying," said Crenshaw.

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Crenshaw said it's important to do what both sides want in resolving the fiscal cliff.

"I think we can move toward the middle. We can have a bi-partisan agreement that's balanced. More revenue that can come from tax reform, as well as some serious spending reform," said Crenshaw.

As House Speaker John Boehner returned to the White House for more discussions, Crenshaw seems to understand the concern created by the uncertainty and is hopeful a compromise will soon be reached.

"I think any solution, has to have some sort of spending reform as part of that. So I'm optimistic that we can come to some agreement to solve this fiscal mess," said Crenshaw.